I said nothing at first.
Don’t miss
She took a shaky breath.
“It was cruel.”
Her mother frowned.
“Vanessa.”
“No, Mom.”
Vanessa turned toward her.
“It was.”
Something shifted in the room.
Maybe it was the first honest thing Vanessa had said all day.
I looked at her.
“The dress was never really the problem.”
“I know.”
Grant sat down heavily.
I walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.
He covered my hand with his.
For once, he did not apologize.
He did not tell me everything was fine.
He just sat there.
The reception never recovered its cheerful rhythm.
People spoke quietly. Some left early.
Vanessa and Grant spent nearly an hour outside talking alone.
I did not follow them.
That was their conversation to have.
When Grant finally came back, his tie was gone.
His eyes were swollen.
But his shoulders looked different.
Lighter.
“Mom?”
